Bag-frame.



J. W. JENNINGS.

BAG FRAME.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 24. 1915.

Patented Dec. 7, 1915.

JAMES W. JENNINGS, 0F PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO SAI-IATIEL G. MANDALIAN, OF NORTH A'I'TLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS.

BAG-FRAME.

Patented Dec. 7, 1915.

Application filed May 24, 1915. Serial No. 29,975.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, James W. JENNINGS, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bag-Frames, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to bag tops,- or frames from which bags depend.

The essential objects of my invention are to present to the observer an unbroken con tour when the bag is closed; to enable the frame to be folded and to expand; and .to attain these ends in a structure which is inexpensive to construct, easy to operate, and ornamental in appearance.

To the above ends essentially my invention consists in such parts and combinations of parts as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a front elevation of my bag frame attached to a bag, Fig. 2, an enlarged plan elevation of the frame in folded or closed position with the cover raised, Fig. 3, a similar elevation of the same expanded, and the cover broken away, Fig. 4, a side elevation of the portion of the frame at and adjacent the joint of the expanded frame, Fig. 5, a section on line 5-5 of Fig. 3, Fig. 6, a section on line 6-6 of Fig. 3, Fig. 7, a section on line 7-7 of Fig. 6, and Fig. 8, a central transverse section of the frame.

Like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout the views.

In detail the frame comprises two body plates A, A, of similar form, and in the present instance semi-elliptical, so that their end portions a, a abut against each other and form a complete ellipse when the bag is closed, as shown in Fig. 2. These body plates may be polygonal rather than oval if preferred. They are respectively provided at the upper outer margins with grooves or cut away portions 1), 7), to afford a seat for the cover. To opposite ends a and a of the body plates are fixed suspension rings C and C respectively.

Attached to an intermediate portion of the plate A by a hinge D is a cover E whose downwardly extending marginal flange 6' seats in the grooves b, b. A spring 15 on the hinge pintle f engages the body plate and cover, normally holding the parts distended.

Pivotally connected with inner faces of the portions a of the body plate A, near .the ends thereof, are side plates G, G. Similar plates G, G are pivotally connected at corresponding points to the portions a of the plate A, and each plate couplet G and G is ,pivotally connected at its inner end to permit folding toward each other when the body plates A and A are compressed.

In the present instance the hinges H forming the pivotal connection of the side plates with each other comprise in each case hinge sleeves 71 upon the plate G, embracing a hinge sleeve 2" upon the plate G, and a pintle j passing through the sleeves, as shown in Fig. 4. It will be noted by reference to Fig. 3 that the sleeves i and z" are seated in curved cavities is and 76 formed in the outer faces of the plates G and G and extending partially along the end faces of these plates, so that while the plates are free to fold inwardly, they are checked against outward movement beyond alinement by virtue of the contact of their adjacent end faces.

The pivotal connections of the plates G with the plate A consist of the hinges K, K; and those of the plates G with the plate A, of the hinges K, K. As all four hinges are of like construction av description of one will serve for all. As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the plate A has hinge sleeves Z, Z, embracing spaced hinge sleeves m on the plate G. The pintle n passes through all the sleeves, and surrounding this between the sleeves m is a helical spring 0 whose opposite ends form arms 0 and 0 pressing respectively against the inner faces of the plates A and G. By virtue of the springs 0 the folding side plates are forced out into the open position shown in Fig. 3, and in this distended position articles may be inserted or removed from the bag.

vIn closing the body plates A and A are manually compressed until the parts assume the position shown in Fig. 2, whereupon the cover E is depressed and its flange seated 111 the marginal grooves b, b, where it 1s fr1ctionally held. A sufficient frictional contact being assuredby the actio-nof the sprmgs 0.

A suspension cord or chain P, shown partially broken away in Fig. 1 1s connected with the suspension. rings by links or rings 2,.

In the present instance an ornament q is shown mounted in the face of the frame. A mesh, skin, or fabric, bag R is attached to the described frame in any usual or con- .I more, the location of the hinges K and K at some distance away from the abutting 'edges of the body plates, affords a tight engagement of the latter, and thus disguises" the fact that the apparently integral frame is jointed.

I What I claim is 1. In an expansible bag frame, the combinationof a plurality of hollow body plates arranged to form a sectional body, side plates disposed in pairs within the body,

pivot members connecting the inner ends of plates of each pair to each other, and pivot members connecting the outer ends of the side plates to different body plates, at points spaced from the ends of the body plates.

2. In an expansible bag frame, the combination of a plurality of hollow body plates arranged to form a sectional body, a cover pivot-ally mounted upon one plate and engaging the other plate, side plates disposed in pairs within the body, pivot members connecting' the inner ends of the plates of each pair to each other, pivot members connecting the outer ends of the side plates to different body plates at points spaced from the ends of the body plates, and springs upon the last mentioned pivot members engaging the body plates and the side plates.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature.

JAMES W. JENNINGS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. 0. 

